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Louis XVI calls the Estates General
When Louis XVI called the Estates General, it was in 1789 during the French Revolution. The Estates General was a meeting of representatives from the three social classes in France: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The meeting was called to address the financial crisis and other issues in the country. It ended up leading to major political and social changes in France. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was a significant event during the French Revolution. It happened in 1789 when the members of the Third Estate, who represented the commoners, found themselves locked out of their usual meeting place. So, they gathered on a nearby tennis court and took an oath not to disband until they had created a new constitution for France. This act showed their determination for change and marked a turning point in the revolution. -
Parisians storming the Bastille
This was a major event during the French Revolution in 1789. The Bastille was a fortress and prison in Paris, and the Parisians were unhappy with the monarchy and the lack of political rights. So, on July 14th, they stormed the Bastille, seeking weapons and symbolically challenging the authority of the monarchy. This event is seen as a symbol of the revolution and the fight for liberty and equality. -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men
This was a pivotal moment during the French Revolution in 1789. It was a document that outlined the fundamental rights and principles that all individuals should have. Inspired by the American Declaration of Independence, it emphasized the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The declaration played a crucial role in shaping the ideals of the revolution and laid the foundation for modern concepts of human rights. -
March on Versailles
It happened when a group of Parisian women, angered by the high price and scarcity of bread, marched from Paris to the Palace of Versailles. They demanded that King Louis XVI and his family return to Paris and address the food shortage. Eventually, the king agreed to their demands, and the royal family relocated to Paris. The march on Versailles symbolized the power of the people and their ability to influence political decisions. -
Establishment of the New French Constitution
It was completed in 1791. This meant that the Kings power was limited, and the government was divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The constitution also granted certain rights to the people, such as freedom of speech and equality before the law. It was a significant step towards a more democratic and representative government in France. -
Execution of the King and Queen
They were found guilty of treason and other charges by the National Convention. On January 21, 1793, The king was executed by guillotine, followed by the Queen on October 16,1793. Their executions marked a turning point in the revolution and had a profound impact on the course of French History. -
Reign of Terror
A period when a radical group called the Committee of public safety took control.They wanted to protect the revolution and eliminate anyone they saw as a threat. Thousands of people were executed, including King Louis XVI and Queen Maris Antoinette. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
Coup of 18–19 Brumaire, (November 9–10, 1799), coup d'état that overthrew the system of government under the Directory in France and substituted the Consulate, making way for the despotism of Napoleon Bonaparte. The event is often viewed as the effective end of the French Revolution. -
Napoleon Builds an Empire
Napoleon gained success during the French Revolutionary Wars by defending France and effectively defeating the Coalition armies from 1792-1802. Napoleon became the First Consul in France by 1800 and led the French Empire into a new, and powerful, era. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
On June 24, 1812, the Grande Armée, led by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, crossed the Neman River, invading Russia from present-day Poland. The result was a disaster for the French. The Russian army refused to engage with Napoleon's Grande Armée of more than 500,000 European troops. -
The Congress of Vienna Meets
The Congress of Vienna was a meeting of European nations that set out a strategy to maintain peace and stability throughout the continent. It gathered in 1814 following the first defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France and namesake of the Napoleonic Wars. -
6th Coalition Occupies Paris
A battle fought on March 30–31, 1814 between the Sixth Coalition—consisting of Russia, Austria, and Prussia—and the French Empire. After a day of fighting in the suburbs of Paris, the French surrendered on March 31, ending the War of the Sixth Coalition and forcing Emperor Napoleon to abdicate and go into exile. -
King Louis XVIII Begins His Reign
The grandson of Louis XV and brother of Louis XVI, Louis Stanislas Xavier declared himself King of France in 1795, before officially becoming King Louis XVIII in 1814 at the fall of the Empire. -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 between Napoleon's French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher. The decisive battle of its age, it concluded a war that had raged for 23 years, ended French attempts to dominate Europe, and destroyed Napoleon's imperial power forever.